Monday, 20 October 2014

Giving Something Back - Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is an organisation ran by The Samaritan's since 1990. Within that time more than 113 million boys and girls in 130 countries have recieved gifts in the form of a simple shoeboxes. It is now the UK's largest children's Christmas appeal.

The idea is to find a shoebox and fill it with gifts for either a boy or a girl, and to choose the age of which you have designed the shoebox for - 2-4 years old, 5-9 years old or 10-14 years old. There is a list of appropriate items and a list of items you should not include on the website. Then just wrap your box up in some lovely bright paper and take it to your nearest drop off point.
If your are unable to find the time to go out and buy gifts to put in your shoebox than there is an option to build your shoebox online!

These shoebox's are then given to underprivileged children who will not receive presents on Christmas Day. Each child deserves a happy Christmas. Somethings living in such a privileged country, we forget, somewhere out there, people are not as privileged as ourselves to receive such luxuries.

Within your shoebox you can also include a photograph of yourself and a note hand written by yourself, for the child that is going to open your shoebox. I think this is such a lovely idea and it makes your shoebox even more personal.

Sometimes at Christmas, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of the festive season. That is to, think of others before yourself and how to bring happiness to others and the people around you.

Participating in the shoebox appeal, doesn't have to be expensive. What is a small gesture from us is something massive to them, just imagine a child's face when they open up a box full of gifts.

To me, that is priceless, and makes the whole process worthwhile.

You can find your nearest drop off point, here. They will be accepting boxes from the 1st November - 18th November.

A look inside my shoebox

My shoebox will cater for the age range of 5-9years old.

I still have a few little things to get, such as, a brush, a notebook and anything else i can find. So far i have toothpaste, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, flannel, pens, crayons, sharpener, colouring book, sweets, yo-yo, a doll, a glitter play purse, hair clips and headband and a skipping rope.